I certainly hope you go back again... Not to sound schmaltzy, but you've written some of the best London posts on this site (especially your "Ode to London" post from 2012). During my last visit, I made it a point to see Shakespeare's Globe and the Millennium Bridge. Next time around, it will be the viewing platform at the Tate Modern. Thank you for sharing so many great insights.
Belatedly reading your blog as we have been busy since returning from our time in the UK.
Having been to Budapest and visited all the places mentioned I enjoyed reading of your visit there and seeing the photos
Embracing being Lost... We absolutely loved Venice. You really have to embrace being lost (we wrote a blog about it, also) and just go with what you find. It really is a city designed to travel by water and not land. Hopefully you had a chance to visit Burano, a colorful island in the Venice lagoon. Very nice pictures of one of my favorite cities!
Santé! Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures and your enthusiasm for l'Alsace. Great to hear how much you loved the area! And the lesson to remember? France is better than Germany! Haha! Just kidding (or only half kidding ;-) Amities from a Frenchman.
France v. Germany It was very odd that we left a sunny Alsace, drove in to fog and cold in Germany then back into warm sunshine in one morning... Alsace certainly has a lovely climate - like New Zealand! If only our wines were as good!!
A proper ending! I think charming Colmar and the lovely Alsace were such a better choice than big city Hong Kong! How great that you rented a car to visit all the tiny, twee villages and try all their wines. Your photos are fab (love those panoramas) and take me back to a place I spent several months, hiking those hills and marveling at the medieval architecture. And then, a finish in Paris--a proper end to your great adventure! Thanks for taking us along.
Such names! I love those Brit names--Trunch, Little Piddling--really! And they make fun of Scottish accents and food (too bad about the vote)! But what a lovely holiday--windmills and canals, staying in an abbey on Loch Ness--it really doesn't get much more romantic than that, and all those organic vegans in Copenhagen. And too bad you/we can't live in England--there's so much to love, though the prices sent me tee-toteling when I was there. Glad you were able to sample the beer!
Perfection! Sounds as if you found the perfect place to stay! What a nightmare a town becomes when cruise ships arrive--how great you weren't in Firo and could avoid them. I went in March, so few tourists anywhere. It really is a magical place.
all too true Having spent 2 nights in Athens (non tour) and a 9 night tour of Turkey it looks like mother and daughter have had the same experience! Lovely places, lovely history, food quite hit and miss (Greek food while not on tour however was amazing so it seems it's the standard food they give you on tour thats a bit of a let down)
While we loved the ease and activities covered in a tour, the long hours on the bus and standard food leaves me thinking that we may leave the tours to the men withheld red backpacks for the time being xx
Greek Hi Hils. Thanks for the commentary, clearly at a level much higher than that set by your guide. Despite all this you sound like you had a fab time.
The sad thing about the Greeks and the Turks is that they do have a great deal in common if they would look past their nationalism.
Worthless guides! I totally agree with you regarding guides. I'll sit in a spot and listen to guides in the three languages I speak and hear wildly differing nonsense from each. Much better to do the research oneself. While I've never done a tour, I must say another advantage is that you visited quite a lot of places in your ten days, something an independent traveler couldn't do. I really love that new Acropolis Museum with its glass floors to another world! Good luck avoiding summer crowds on Santorini!
Thanks! Blog is behind (technical issues and way too much wine!!) we did Santorini and LOVED it. Hopefully my Santorini blog will appear soon - travel internet permitting...
You make me laugh I haven't gone through all of your blog, Hilary, but you are marvelously funny. I hope you continue writing. Please include me as a fan and follower!
My journey to paint the Italian countryside has only just begun. There are 7 of us and some of us will be going to Paris in Vincennes. The manager has invited us to share our work in a private show there. Cool, eh!
Thanks for the laughs!
Pat from Palazzo Catalani, IT
Welcome home, have been wondering when .
you have had me wiping away tears of laughter at your trials with accomodation, it is so true.... Looking forward to seeing you both. with Love,
Great travel laws Loved 'Hily’s holiday laws', especially no. 8. Could also add number 9, discovering that great bar/restaurant on your last night in town, after enduring a week of crap food. Looking forward to your next travels.
from australia Hi Hilary and Rhys have loved looking at your tour blogs, what a terrific trip you've had. thank you so much for keeping in touch, our beds are nice and comfy if you ever get back hear. how many pairs of shoes did you wear out?. love from June.
The Kiwis are off on their next adventure to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary! First a tour of Slovenia and Croatia then independant travel around southern Italy and Sicily. Then HIS choice of romantic settings - a road trip round Iceland. And of course no flying Kiwis trip would be complete without a sojourn in England including our favourite city - London.... full info
Peter Childs
non-member comment
Lithium mining
Could I use this photo with attribution in a free chemistry teacher's magazine to illustrate lithium mining?